Most dash cams do record audio, but the feature varies widely by model and can be turned off
The short answer is yes — most dash cams sold today include a built-in microphone and record sound along with video. However, not every model does, and many let you disable audio recording entirely. Before you buy or use a dash cam, you should know what it's actually recording, because audio capture creates legal and privacy questions that video alone does not.
Whether your dash cam records audio depends on three things: whether the model has a microphone at all, whether that microphone is turned on in the settings, and whether local laws permit recording audio in your vehicle. The last part matters most. Some states and countries have strict rules about recording conversations without consent, and those rules can explore inside your own car.
Key Takeaways
- Most modern dash cams include a microphone and record audio by default, but you can usually disable it in the camera's menu settings.
- Recording audio inside your vehicle may be illegal in two-party consent states unless everyone in the car agrees to be recorded.
- Audio recordings are harder to use as evidence in court than video, and insurance companies rarely need them to process claims.
- If you disable audio recording, you lose the ability to capture conversations with police or other drivers after an accident.
- Check your specific dash cam model's manual to confirm whether it has audio capability and how to turn it on or off.
How dash cam audio recording actually works
A dash cam with audio recording contains a small microphone, usually built into the camera body or mounted near the lens. When you turn the camera on, it captures sound at the same time it captures video, and both are saved to the same file or linked files on the memory card. The audio quality is typically lower than what you would get from a dedicated voice recorder — dash cam microphones are small and designed to pick up sounds from inside the car, not to provide studio-quality audio.
Most dash cams let you control audio recording through a menu on the camera itself or through a companion smartphone app. You can usually turn audio on or off without affecting video recording. Some models also let you adjust microphone sensitivity, so you can reduce background noise from the engine or road if you want. A few higher-end models have dual microphones to capture sound from multiple directions.
The audio file size is small compared to video, so recording audio does not significantly reduce how much video you can store on your memory card. A 128 GB card will hold roughly the same amount of video whether audio is on or off.
State and local laws that affect audio recording in your car
Two-party consent states require everyone in a conversation to agree before you can record it. If you live in one of these states and you record a conversation with a passenger, police officer, or another driver without their knowledge, you may be breaking the law — even though it's your own vehicle. States with two-party consent rules include California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Some of these states have exceptions for recording police during traffic stops, but the rules are specific and change.
One-party consent states allow you to record a conversation if you are part of it, even if the other person does not know. Most states fall into this category. However, even in one-party consent states, recording someone without their knowledge can create civil liability — meaning someone could sue you even if you did not break criminal law.
The safest approach is to disable audio recording if you are unsure about your state's rules, or to inform passengers and other drivers that you are recording audio. Some dash cam owners post a notice on their windshield stating that audio and video recording is in use.
Why audio recording matters less than you might think
Insurance companies and police rarely rely on dash cam audio to investigate accidents or claims. Video of what happened is what matters — who hit whom, who was in which lane, what the traffic signals showed. Audio of someone saying "I'm sorry" or "it was my fault" can be useful, but it is not required, and it is often inadmissible in court because the other party did not consent to being recorded.
If you are in an accident and the other driver admits fault on your dash cam audio, you still need to report the accident to police and your insurance company through normal channels. The audio alone will not speed up the process. In fact, if you try to use audio that was recorded without consent, the other driver's lawyer can argue that the recording is illegal and should be excluded from evidence.
The main reason to keep audio recording on is to capture your own words — for example, if you are speaking to a police officer at the scene and you want a record of what you said. Even then, video of the scene is more valuable than audio of a conversation.
How to check whether your dash cam records audio
Open your dash cam's menu and look for an audio or microphone setting. The exact location depends on the model, but it is usually under "Recording Settings" or "Audio Settings." If you see an option labeled "Microphone," "Audio," or "Sound," you can toggle it on or off there. Some cameras show a microphone icon on the screen when audio recording is active.
If you cannot find an audio setting, your dash cam may not have a microphone. Check the product manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm. Search for your camera model and the word "audio" or "microphone" to find the specifications. Most product pages list whether audio recording is included.
If you own a dash cam and have never checked the audio setting, assume it is on. Most cameras ship with audio recording enabled by default.
Dash cams without audio recording
Some budget dash cams and older models do not include a microphone at all. These are usually cheaper than models with audio, and they record video only. If you specifically want to avoid recording audio for privacy reasons, you can search for "video only dash cam" or check the specifications before buying. However, most dash cams sold in the last five years include audio capability, even if it is turned off.
A few professional-grade dash cams let you add an external microphone, which gives you more control over what gets recorded and where the microphone is positioned. This is rare in consumer models but common in fleet or commercial dash cams.
What to do if you want to disable audio recording
Open your dash cam's menu, find the audio or microphone setting, and turn it off. Save the change. The camera will continue to record video normally. You may see the microphone icon disappear from the screen, or you may see a "microphone off" indicator appear instead.
If you are renting or leasing a vehicle with a built-in dash cam, you may not be able to change the audio setting yourself. Contact the rental company or vehicle owner to ask whether audio recording can be disabled. Some rental companies disable audio recording as a matter of policy.
Disabling audio recording does not affect the camera's ability to record video or to use GPS, time stamps, or other features. It only stops the microphone from capturing sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dash cam audio as evidence in court?
It depends on your state's consent laws and whether the other party knew they were being recorded. Audio recorded without consent is often inadmissible in court, even if it clearly shows fault. Video evidence is much more likely to be accepted. Talk to a lawyer in your state if you have audio you want to use in a case.
Will my insurance company ask for dash cam audio?
Rarely. Insurance adjusters want video of the accident scene and the moments before impact. Audio of a conversation is not usually part of a claim investigation. If you have video, you have what they need.
Does recording audio drain the battery faster?
No. The microphone uses minimal power. Whether audio is on or off makes no meaningful difference to how long a dash cam can run on battery or how long it lasts before needing to charge.
What if a passenger asks me to turn off audio recording?
You can disable audio recording through the camera menu at any time. If you are in a two-party consent state, you should honor the request. In one-party consent states, you are not required to, but doing so is a courtesy and avoids conflict.
Do all dash cams record audio by default?
Most modern dash cams ship with audio recording turned on, but not all. Check your camera's manual or settings menu to confirm. Some older or budget models do not have a microphone at all.